Nucleoli: meaning, definitions and examples
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nucleoli
[ njuːˈkləʊlaɪ ]
cell biology
Nucleoli are small, dense structures found within the nucleus of eukaryotic cells. They are primarily associated with the production and assembly of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and ribosomes, which are critical for protein synthesis. The nucleolus is not surrounded by a membrane, and it often appears as a dark spot within the nucleus under a microscope. There can be one or multiple nucleoli present in a nucleus, depending on the cell type and its activity level. The size and number of nucleoli can also change in response to cellular activity and stress.
Examples of usage
- The nucleoli are essential for ribosome biogenesis.
- Scientists observed changes in nucleoli during cell division.
- Nucleoli can be used as markers for cellular activity.
Translations
Translations of the word "nucleoli" in other languages:
🇵🇹 nucléolos
🇮🇳 न्यूक्लियोल
🇩🇪 Nukleolen
🇮🇩 nukleolus
🇺🇦 нуклеоли
🇵🇱 jąderka
🇯🇵 核小体
🇫🇷 nucléoles
🇪🇸 nucleolos
🇹🇷 nükleolus
🇰🇷 핵소체
🇸🇦 النواة
🇨🇿 nukleoly
🇸🇰 nukleoly
🇨🇳 核仁
🇸🇮 nukleoli
🇮🇸 kjarnahólar
🇰🇿 нуклеолдар
🇬🇪 ნუკლეოლები
🇦🇿 nukleollar
🇲🇽 nucleolos
Etymology
The term 'nucleolus' comes from the Latin word 'nucleus', meaning 'kernel' or 'core', combined with the diminutive suffix '-olus', indicating something small. This term has been used in scientific literature since the mid-19th century, when advances in microscopy allowed scientists to observe cellular structures more clearly. The study of nucleoli began to expand with the understanding of cell biology and genetics in the 20th century. Nucleoli play a vital role in the cellular processes of eukaryotes, specifically in ribosome production, connecting the importance of nucleoli to fundamental biological functions. Over the years, research into nucleolar structure and function has provided significant insights into health and disease, particularly in cancer research, where nucleolar activity is often linked to cell proliferation.